The council's planning committee was told the bright blue tile design "would give the building a distinctive character and reflect the historic links Bath Row has to the Victorian Public Baths that were built in this area".

The building will include a takeaway at ground floor level and the developer will pay the council £100,000 towards public transport and landscaping in the area.

Committee member Coun Peter Douglas Osborn (Con Weoley) said the block, to house 435 students in the city centre, was too large.

"This is going to be a very large construction, and somewhat overbearing at the start of Bath Row," he said.

Three residents had also written to the city council saying it was too big.

But his colleague Barry Henley (Lab Brandwood), speaking on behalf of the council's Conservation and Heritage Panel, said: "The scale of the building is considerable. It is quite big but suitable for its corner location."

The site is currently home to three, 1970s red brick office blocks which are due to be demolished ahead of development.

CGI of new student apartments on the corner of Bath Row and Islington Row Middleway, looking towards Five Ways Island and new Park Regis hotel (Image: Pic: Stride Treglown)